Bruce Power's proposed office complex and training facility, slated for land north of the Sutton Park Mall in Kincardine, has received the green light from Kincardine council.

During the public meeting Wednesday night (Sept. 6), Bruce County planner Bruce Stickney outlined the proposal which had already been presented to council, for information purposes only, during a public meeting Aug. 9.

In the planning application, Bruce Power seeks Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments to Business Park and Business Park Special, from the current Highway Commercial, Future Development and Planned Development, permitting a 128,757-square-foot facility, to include special provisions for training and education facilities. The facility would encompass:

A two-storey office area (offices, classrooms and amenities for the occupants)

330 office area employees and 150 training area employees

Stormwater management facility and an extension of full municipal services

On-site parking for vehicles and bicycles

Stickney said a number of concerns were raised at the Aug. 9 public meeting, including traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.

"Those concerns and issues have been addressed by the proponent (Bruce Power LP) and its consultant (Stantec Consulting Ltd.)," he said.

The main issue was pedestrian safety at the intersection of Gary Street, which runs north-south between the residential complex and the grocery store, and Philip Place, which runs east-west from the grocery store parking lot into Trillium Court Seniors' Community, said Stickney.

Originally, a crosswalk was planned but that was considered insufficient, given the number of children at bus pick-up and drop-off times next to the residential complex, said Stickney. "This has been addressed through the development of a multi-use trail on the west side of Gary Street, where children could gather/disperse safely in an off-street location."

As for traffic congestion, Stickney said Bruce Power continues to work with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) to obtain a construction access to Sutton Street which would alleviate concerns about traffic. Gary Street will be upgraded, improving the flow of traffic to Sutton Street, where it will be handled nicely, he added.

He said the lands are subject to site plan control, there are no archaeological concerns, the bylaw amendment will include an "office complex and training facility" as a permitted use, and the number of parking spaces shall be no less than 571.

Stickney said there were no further comments or concerns from the public, and recommended the Official Plan amendment be adopted, and the zoning bylaw amendment be approved.

Councillor Laura Haight asked about the status of the construction access east of the Sutton Park Inn.

Stickney said the applicant applied for that access in order to keep the construction traffic off Gary Street. "The MTO has agreed in principle but would not make a decision until the zoning bylaw was approved."

In council session, both the Official Plan amendment and the zoning bylaw amendment were approved, as well as the site plan control area agreement.

Bruce Power plans to sever the 18-acre site and purchase it from owner Ontario Peninsula Farms, said chief building official Michele Barr.

The office complex and training facility are to be constructed next year and opened in 2019.